Pulsed laser deposition of carbon nanodots

We present preliminary results on carbon nanodots growth using pulsed laser deposition (PLD), with a graphite target, in a low pressure argon background. In the process thin carbon films are deposited on Porous Alumina Membranes (PAM) positioned over a Silicon substrate. Reproducible carbon nanodots arrays standing on Silicon are obtained by later removal of the PAM. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to characterize the nanodots morphology. The laser carbon plasma was characterized by optical emission spectroscopy (OES), and a fast response, negative biased, Faraday cup was used to measure the characteristic energy and flux of the plasma ions depositing onto the PAM. Reliable Carbon nanodots growth was only observed with Argon background pressures below 18 mTorr. (paper)